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SUMMARY:Mining the medicinal plant treasures of a biodiversity hotspot usi
 ng biotechnological tools - Professor Nokwanda Makunga\, Stellenbosch Univ
 ersity\, South Africa
DTSTART:20231116T121500Z
DTEND:20231116T134500Z
UID:TALK206152@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Jake Harris
DESCRIPTION:South Africa has an incredible floral heritage that has a stro
 ng history of being important to local people for diverse range of ethno-c
 ultural uses and those plants that are exploited for medicinal purposes ha
 ve also encouraged entry of new natural products into global markets. Ther
 e are thus unique opportunities that are presented by interfacing various 
 biotechnologies to study medicinal plants of South Africa\, more especiall
 y with the intention of generating socioeconomic benefits. \n\nThis talk w
 ill touch on historical aspects linked to the exploitation of medicinal pl
 ant resources and define the importance of indigenous knowledge and medici
 nal plants when interfaced with biotechnology in relation to the bioeconom
 y strategy of South Africa. Using specific examples from medicinal plants 
 that occur in the greater Cape Floristic Region\, various studies are thus
  presented and summarized. The application of LC-MS-based metabolomics tec
 hnologies has been useful as a qualitative tool\, enabling fast detection 
 and a reliable method of studying mesembrine alkaloids produced by Sceleti
 um tortuosum (Aizoaceae). Microplant and callus cultures also accumulate a
  wide array of these alkaloids. By applying both non-targeted and targeted
  metabolomics\, influence of varied microenvironments on the phytochemistr
 y and cytotoxicity of Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae) plants is evident
 . Proteomic analyses under stressed conditions provided new insights into 
 the impacts of salinity and drought stress with respect to both central an
 d specialized metabolism of S. frutescens. Combining microsatellite and ch
 emometric analyses confirmed biogeographical-based genetic structure among
 st populations of Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) and Aspalathus linearis (
 Fabaceae)\, pinpointing chemotype(s) that may fit domestication and indust
 rialization for the production of phytopharmaceutics. These studies illust
 rate the exciting potential of medical plants of South Africa that still r
 emain chemically under explored. \n
LOCATION:Large Lecture Theatre\, Department of Plant Sciences
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